Spring clip leader and housing for magnetic tape

ABSTRACT

A spring-like clip for a spool of tape, one end of the clip being attached to one end of the tape, and another end of the clip having an engagement feature that allows the clip to be pulled from the spool. The clip is configured to curve around the spool to hold the tape in place. In one general embodiment, a product includes a reel, a tape coupled to the reel, and a spring-like clip coupled to a free end of the tape. The clip is selectively positionable in a wrapped position where the clip wraps around a portion of the tape when the tape is wound onto the reel, thereby holding the portion of the tape in place on the reel. Systems for using various types of such products are presented, and generally include a tape drive configured for reading data from tape stored on such products.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to data storage systems, and moreparticularly, to tape reels having spring-like clips coupled thereto,e.g., for protecting tape stored on the tape reels.

In magnetic storage systems, data are read from, and written onto, amagnetic recording medium utilizing magnetic transducers. Data arewritten on the magnetic recording medium by moving a magnetic recordingtransducer to a position over the medium where the data are to bestored. The magnetic recording transducer then generates a magneticfield, which encodes the data into the magnetic medium. Data are readfrom the medium by similarly positioning the magnetic read transducerand then sensing the magnetic field of the magnetic medium. Read andwrite operations may be independently synchronized with the movement ofthe medium to ensure that the data can be read from, and written to, thedesired location on the medium.

In the near future, with the adoption of improved media, the cost ofstoring information (on a per byte basis) on tape is expected to declineby a factor of five or more with respect to magnetic disk. Also,short-term and long-term reliability will continue to favor tape-basedstorage. Furthermore, as more mass storage is allocated to cloudnetworks, most storage will be in large libraries, rather than onindividual drives, which is a consideration favoring tape-based storage.One historical disadvantage of tape-based storage with respect todisk-based storage was the relatively large volumetric overhead requiredto store cartridge shells that encase the individual reels of tape, inaddition to other components thereof.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention relate to a product. One embodimentincludes a reel, a tape coupled to the reel, and a spring-like clipcoupled to a free end of the tape. The clip is selectively positionablein a wrapped position where the clip wraps around a portion of the tapewhen the tape is wound onto the reel, thereby holding the portion of thetape in place on the reel.

Another embodiment includes a spring-like clip for a spool of tape, oneend of the clip being attached to one end of the tape, and another endof the clip having an engagement feature that allows the clip to bepulled from the spool. The clip is configured to curve around the spoolto hold the tape in place.

Other embodiments of the invention relate to a system. In oneembodiment, a system includes a plurality of tape reels, and a tapedrive configured for reading data from tape stored on at least one ofthe plurality of tape reels. At least some of the tape reels have a tapewound thereon and a spring-like clip coupled to a free end of the tape.The clip is selectively positionable in a wrapped position where theclip wraps around a portion of the tape when the tape is wound onto thereel, thereby holding the portion of the tape in place on the reel.

Other aspects and embodiments of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken inconjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example theprinciples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top down view of a system using mobile robots for fasteraccess to tape, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a simplified tape drive systemaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a mobile robot, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4A is an illustration of an optical pattern on a surface, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a partial side view of a surface design, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 4C is a partial side view of a surface design, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 4D is a partial side view of a surface design, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 4E is a partial side view of a surface design, according to oneembodiment.

FIGS. 5A-5B are detailed views of a mobile robot, according to oneembodiment.

FIGS. 6A-6B are simplified views of a tape library using mobile robots,according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 7A-7D are perspective views of a product, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 7E is a representational in use diagram, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 7F is a representational in use diagram, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 7G is a partial cross sectional view of a product, according to oneembodiment.

FIGS. 8A-8D are schematic representations of tape threading using amobile robot, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 8E-8H are schematic representations of steps for tapeself-threading using a tape drive, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 9A-9F are schematic representations of steps for tapeself-threading using a tape drive, while performing overlappedoperations, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a process timing chart for different tapes in a tape driveaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a tape drive having the abilityto perform overlapped operations, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 12A-12C are schematic representations of steps for tapeself-threading using a tape drive, while performing overlappedoperations, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 13A-13C are schematic representations of steps for tapeself-threading using a tape drive, while performing overlappedoperations, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of a tape drive having the abilityto perform overlapped operations on multiple tapes, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of a tape drive having the abilityto perform overlapped operations on multiple tapes, according to oneembodiment.

FIGS. 16A-16D are schematic representations of steps for tapeself-threading using a tape drive, while performing overlappedoperations, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a schematic representation depicting steps for tapeself-threading using a tape drive, while performing overlappedoperations, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 18A-18C are schematic representations of steps using flangeextenders, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a depiction of a network architecture, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 20 is a system diagram of a representative hardware environmentthat may be associated with the servers and/or clients of FIG. 19,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a method, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating thegeneral principles of the present invention and is not meant to limitthe inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular featuresdescribed herein can be used in combination with other describedfeatures in each of the various possible combinations and permutations.

Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be giventheir broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied fromthe specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in theart and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc.

It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and theappended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include pluralreferents unless otherwise specified.

The following description discloses several preferred embodiments oftape drive systems having tape reels that incorporate a clip, as well asoperation and/or component parts thereof. According to differentembodiments, the clip may not only protect the tape, but also tofacilitate the tape end transfer, e.g., in a tape drive, withoutrequiring a large volumetric overhead as seen in conventional products.

In one general embodiment, a product includes a reel, a tape coupled tothe reel, and a spring-like clip coupled to a free end of the tape. Theclip is selectively positionable in a wrapped position where the clipwraps around a portion of the tape when the tape is wound onto the reel,thereby holding the portion of the tape in place on the reel.

In another general embodiment, a spring-like clip for a spool of tape isprovided. One end of the clip is attached to one end of the tape, andanother end of the clip having an engagement feature that allows theclip to be pulled from the spool. The clip is configured to curve aroundthe spool to hold the tape in place.

In another general embodiment, a system includes a plurality of tapereels, and a tape drive configured for reading data from tape stored onat least one of the plurality of tape reels. At least some of the tapereels have a tape wound thereon and a spring-like clip coupled to a freeend of the tape. The clip is selectively positionable in a wrappedposition where the clip wraps around a portion of the tape when the tapeis wound onto the reel, thereby holding the portion of the tape in placeon the reel.

Tape drive data rates have increased, and currently are capable ofexceeding 200 MB/s. However, because tape is a linear medium, accessinga desired data location typically requires a large amount of time. Thusa tape-based data storage system may spend a relatively small fractionof its time actually reading data from and/or writing data to the tape,while the great majority of the time is spent loading/unloading andwinding the tape.

As a result, in conventional products, loading and unloading the tapecan require greater than ten seconds, and locating a piece of data canrequire more than a minute. This is economically inefficient, as themajority of the time is spent using only motor control, e.g., to windthe tape, and as a result, the expensive portion of the drive, e.g., therecording heads, actuator, read and/or write electronics, etc. are leftidle and are not effectively utilized. As a result, the large amount oftime in which tape drives are idle creates a need for a plurality ofdrives to operate simultaneously in order to achieve a high rate ofinput/output operations per second (IOPS). However, adding more drives,tape transport mechanisms, etc. is an unfavorable solution as it isinefficient.

In sharp contrast, the embodiments and/or methods described and/orsuggested herein preferably allow a single drive, e.g., including asingle read/write mechanism, to overlap operations of two or more tapes,as will be discussed in further detail below. Thus, a single set ofheads, actuators and/or drive electronics with multiple reels and reeldrivers may be used to efficiently achieve high IOPS at lower cost.Performing a first tape read, write and/or locate while locating aposition on a second tape allows the system throughout to be increasedsignificantly. In different approaches, such a system can be constructedfor either single spool or dual spool tape configurations as will bediscussed in further detail below.

FIG. 1 depicts a detailed view of a Linear Media Storage Module 100 inaccordance with one embodiment. As an option, the present Linear MediaStorage Module 100 may be implemented in conjunction with features fromany other embodiment listed herein, such as those described withreference to the other FIGS. Of course, however, such Linear MediaStorage Module 100 and others presented herein may be used in variousapplications and/or in permutations which may or may not be specificallydescribed in the illustrative embodiments listed herein. Moreover, theLinear Media Storage Module 100 presented herein may be used in anydesired environment. Further still, the Linear Media Storage Module 100is in no way limited to that which is illustrated in FIG. 1 and mayinclude any parts and/or orientation of parts which would be desirabledepending on various embodiments.

As shown by the partial top down view of FIG. 1, a Linear Media StorageModule 100, such as a tape library, may include one or more mobilerobots 110 for transporting at least one tape reel 102, which may or maynot be part of a tape cartridge, to and from tape drives 104 for readingdata from the tape.

The linear media (i.e., tape) may preferably be wound on tape reels 102,also referred to herein as spools. According to an exemplary embodiment,at least some of the tape reels 102, preferably having tape woundthereon, may further include a spring-like clip (e.g., see 706 of FIGS.7A-7D) coupled to a free end of the tape, where the free end is definedas the end of the tape that is unwound from the reel 102 first, as willbe described in detail below.

The tape reels 102 may lie on a lower surface 304, such as a “floor,” ofa rest area for storing the reels when the reels are not in use.According to different approaches, the rest area may have one level,more than one level, etc., as explained below, and may further include,but is not limited to, ramps to preferably provide for the movement oflinear media between the levels. The rest area is preferably ahorizontal surface on which the tape reels rest; however in otherapproaches, the rest area may incorporate a vertical, angled, terraced,stacked, etc. surface, or combinations thereof. In such alternateapproaches, the tape reels may be attached to and/or supported by therest area by using hooks, lips, magnets, shelves, sleeves, posts, etc.or some other design to counteract the force of gravity on the tapereels if desired.

FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified view of the tape drive 104 of atape-based data storage system, which may be employed in the context ofthe present invention. While one specific implementation of a tape driveis shown in FIG. 2, it should be noted that the embodiments describedherein may be implemented in the context of a variety of tape drivesystems.

As shown, a tape supply reel 220 and a take-up reel 221 are provided tosupport a tape 222. One or more of the reels may form part of aremovable cartridge and are not necessarily part of the tape drive 104.The tape drive, such as that illustrated in FIG. 2, may further includedrive motor(s) to drive the tape supply reel 220 and the take-up reel221 to move the tape 222 over a tape head 226 of any type. Such head mayinclude an array of readers, writers, or both.

Although a tape drive 104 may be capable of both reading and writinglinear media, it may be preferable for a given drive or drives toperform only one of these operations (i.e., reading or writing) for anextended period of time. Additionally, there may be a cost advantage inhaving separate linear media drives due to the reduced amount ofelectronics, heads, etc. Moreover, since the sequential write methodprovides higher effective random write performance, system cost may bereduced by combining a number of write drives with a larger number ofread-only drives. Thus, it may be preferable for at least a subset, amajority, all, etc. of the drives in a linear storage media tier to beoptimized for writing or reading exclusively.

Guides 225 guide the tape 222 across the tape head 226. Such tape head226 is in turn coupled to a controller assembly 228 via a cable 231. Thecontroller 228 typically controls head functions such as servofollowing, writing, reading, etc. The controller may operate under logicknown in the art, as well as any logic disclosed herein. The cable 231may include read/write circuits to transmit data to the head 226 to berecorded on the tape 222 and to receive data read by the head 226 fromthe tape 222. An actuator 232 controls the position of the head 226relative to the tape 222.

An interface 234 may also be provided for communication between the tapedrive and a host (integral or external) to send and receive the data andfor controlling the operation of the tape drive and communicating thestatus of the tape drive to the host, all as will be understood by thoseof skill in the art.

The tape on the selected tape reel or pair of tape reels may be accessedby the mobile robots 110, which may be miniature remote-controlledvehicles that move via contact with a surface (such as an upper surface302, used interchangeably with the term “ceiling,” as shown in FIG. 3).Thus, the tape reels may lie on a lower surface, such as a “floor,”while a mobile robot maneuvers on the upper surface via contact with thesurface, such as by utilizing drive wheels and magnetic attractionbetween the robot and the upper surface or portions of the upper surface(see FIG. 3). In one approach, the tape library may comprise more thanone level. On each level, tape reels may be arranged on a lower surface(used interchangeably with the term “floor”) in a dense pattern. Thisarrangement is shown in partial top down view of FIG. 1, according toone embodiment.

A contiguous tape may be stored on a single reel, and may include a pinor other end piece that enables threading of the tape in the tape drive.In other approaches, the tape may be coupled to a pair of reels, e.g.,in a tape cartridge. According to one embodiment, magnetic tape may beincluded in miniature tape reels 102 which have only a fraction of thetape length of a standard tape cartridge, thereby decreasing seek time.Such shorter length may be, e.g., less than about ⅕th the tape length ofa standard Linear Tape Open (LTO) tape cartridge, or less than about1/25¹ the tape length of a standard tape cartridge, or less than about1/50th the tape length of a standard tape cartridge, etc. In someapproaches, a length of tape on the plurality of tape reels 102 may beless than about 50 meters for each tape reel 102. However, in otherapproaches, a length of tape on the plurality of tape reels 102 may beless than about 25 meters, or 20 meters or less, etc. for each tape reel102, depending on the desired embodiment. It should be noted that, asused herein, the term “about” with reference to some stated value refersto the stated value±10% of said value.

The seek time of tape-based systems using such tape reels may also oralternatively be decreased by increasing the locate speed, e.g., toabout 20 meters per second (m/s) or faster. “Locate time” refers to thetime required for the tape to wind to the beginning of a data set (orfile) after the tape is loaded in the tape drive. If the tape length isreduced to about 20 m or less and the locate speed is about 20 m/s, theaverage locate time is (20 m/20 m/s)/2=0.5 s. In addition to decreasingthe seek time in the drive, the system seek time may be reduced bystructuring the tape library to achieve a mean load time of about 0.5 s.“Load time” refers to the time between a first time, when a requestreaches the tape library, and a second time, when the relevant tapereel(s) are loaded in the tape drive.

According to one embodiment, the tape system is configured such that theaverage seek time is less than about 2 seconds, preferably about 1second or less. The seek time is the delay between a first time when arequest to access data is received by the tape library, and a secondtime when the tape library begins to provide the data to the requester.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the tape reels 102 may be closelypacked, for example in a hexagonal array, ordered array, circulararrangement, etc., to maximize the number of tape reels that may bestored in a limited amount of space.

According to one embodiment, a diameter of each of the plurality of tapereels 102 may be less than about 100 mm, such as less than about 50 mm,less than about 40 mm, less than about 30 mm.

In some approaches, a single tape drive 104 is available for readingand/or writing tape on the tape reels 102. Depending on the frequencywith which files are read, a plurality of tape drives 104 may beavailable for reading and/or writing tape on the tape reels 102, asshown in FIG. 1 by the leftmost tape drive 104 reading a tape. The tapedrives 104 may be located about the surface in any arrangement as wouldbe known to one of skill in the art, preferably such that quick accessto the tape drives 104 is possible to reduce loading and data accesstimes. In a preferred approach, a tape drive (e.g., a tape drive system)may include a first set of motors for performing positioning operationson a first tape and a second set of motors for performing positioningoperations on a second tape as discussed in further detail below withreference to FIGS. 9A-17.

In one approach, the Linear Media Storage Module 100 may be configuredto permit the mobile robot 110 to locate, retrieve, and transport anyone selected tape reel 102 to the tape drive 104, and to initializereading of the tape by the tape drive 104 within about five seconds ofreceiving a request to read data from the tape of the selected tape reel102, more preferably within about 2 seconds, and ideally less than about1 second. In a further approach, the system may include at least onewinding station 114 for performing coarse locate operations(prelocating) on the reels to position the tape near the data positionfor a subsequent read/write operation, prior to the reels being mountedto the at least one linear media drive. In a preferred approach, coarselocate operations may include locating desired portions of the tapestored on a given tape reel in a minimized time.

In several embodiments, several mobile robots 110 move unconstrainedalong the surface, e.g., two, five, or more. In other embodiments, onlya single robot may be present on a given level. It may be advantageousfor the mobile robots 110 to be unconnected by cables to any other partof the Linear Media Storage Module 100. This design favors fast robotmotion, and facilitates the mobile robots 110 being capable of movingbetween levels, rooms, enclosures, etc. Also, when multiple mobilerobots 110 are used, any problem with cables getting tangled togetherfrom different robots 110 is eliminated when the mobile robots 110 arecontrolled wirelessly, e.g., via a robot controller 112.

According to one approach, a robot controller may be in communicationwith, and may control and/or manage the mobile robots 110. In variousapproaches, the robot controller may control and/or manage normaloperating conditions, high traffic conditions, damage situations,overflow, high priority requests. etc. or any other situation whichwould be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the presentdescription. Additionally, the robot controller may be connected to ahost, a user, an administrator, computing device, etc. which may providerequests to be processed by the robot controller.

Thus, a plurality of mobile robots may be used in a system, e.g., thelinear storage media tier, which may utilize the plurality of robots inoverlapping operations to increase data throughput of the system. Thisis possible because a first robot can be returning a first tape from thedrive to the rest location, while a second robot is delivering a secondtape from its rest location to the drive. Therefore, a system mayinclude at least one, at least two, multiple, etc. mobile robots fortransporting the linear storage media between the rest area and the atleast one linear media drive. The mobile robots may preferably transportthe linear storage media by retrieving at least one tape reel and movingit to a desired location e.g., a winding station a drive, the rest area,etc. According to various approaches, the mobile robots may include, butare not limited to, any mobile robot described and/or suggested herein,depending on the desired embodiment.

In other approaches, winding stations compatible with single spools mayinclude a take-up reel which can be dismounted from the winding stationalong with the storage spool, and taken to a drive as if a dual spool.When a single spool is placed in the winding station, one end of thetape thereon may be attached to a temporary take-up reel. This may allowthe single spool to be coarse located in the winding station and thentransported to a given drive while maintaining the coarse located dataposition. As will be discussed in further detail below, a coarse locateoperation may quickly wind the tape until reaching a position believedto be slightly before a desired location on a magnetic tape where a readand/or write operation will commence. Moreover, once the tape from thesingle spool has been rewound and the temporary take-up reel is empty,the temporary take-up reel may be transported back to one of the windingstation, e.g., to be used for the next coarse located single spool.

As a result, multiple winding stations may be used for a given drive.This approach may be advantageous where high throughput is desirable,but where the locating operations are slow. Further, incorporatingwinding stations allows more flexibility for embodiments having multipledrives, as the location operation is not tied to a particular drive, anda located tape may be mounted on the first free drive. A furtheradvantage occurs with dual spools, in that extra winders may be used torewind spool pairs to the middle of the tape, thus reducing the meanlocate time for subsequent 10 operations. The winding stations may evenbe disposed on the mechanism used to deliver tapes to the drive (e.g. arobot).

Other operations may be overlapped as well. For example, with continuedreference to FIG. 1, at least one winding station 114 may be includedfor performing coarse locate operations on the tape reels 102 prior tothe reels being mounted to the tape drive 104 for read and/or writeoperations, and subsequent rewind operations. In a preferred approach,coarse locate operations may include locating particular portions of thetape stored on a given tape reel in a minimized time.

Moreover, the coarse locate operations may be conducted while otherreels are being read and/or written to, thereby overlapping operations.For example, which is in no way intended to limit the invention, a tapereel may have a particular data set written thereon up to a certainlocation between ends of the tape medium at a certain wrap, which can bedefined as a set of tracks written to the tape medium, in one direction,at the same time. To prepare the tape reel for writing thereon, thecoarse locate operation may quickly wind the tape until reaching aposition believed to be slightly before the end of the written data. Ifthe winding station has a head, the winding station may then proceed ina slower fashion until the end of the written data is located. If thewinding station does not have a head, the media drive that subsequentlyreceives the tape reel can quickly find the end of data on the tapebecause of the pre-positioning. Thus, the coarse locate operation maylocate the end of written data faster than is possible using the drivesdirectly, without passing the end of the written data, therebypreventing unnecessary time delay in locating the end of the writtendata.

In another example, which is in no way intended to limit the invention,coarse locate operations may be used to reduce the total time fromreceipt of a read request until the data are returned to the host from atape reel. The coarse locate operations may utilize the mapped locationof data written to the reels which may be stored in a map of a mappingmodule. This may preferably reduce the read access time to a block ofdata stored on a given reel (explained in further detail below). Thus,coarse locate operations of the at least one winding station may overlaplocating operations with reading and robot motion, which may result in afurther increase to the utilization of the system.

To keep track of where data are stored, particularly in relation tocorresponding data, some sort of mapping scheme is desirable. Such amapping scheme may preferably be capable of identifying the physicallocation of the current version of each logical block, of which theinformation is also referred to herein as meta-data. According todifferent approaches, the mapping scheme may store the physicallocations of data in terms of the magnetic indexes recorded during tapemanufacture and/or the length along the tape where the data werewritten, e.g., which may be determined by the number of reelrevolutions, longitudinal position (LPOS) information, etc. According toone approach, the mapping scheme may use mapping tables. The mappingtables keep track of where the data and/or meta-data are stored,preferably such that any data may be located and accessed after it iswritten. Thus, mapping tables may preferably be accessed and/or updatedwith each write and/or read request. However, the mapping tables may beaccessed and/or updated after each write request has been completed,before each read request is processed, at timed intervals, upon request(e.g., from a user), etc. depending on the desired embodiment. Mappingtables may be stored on the tape itself, a tape cartridge, a databasesuch as a tape library database, etc.

The mobile robots 110 may have predetermined “resting” locations, asshown by mobile robots 110, according to one embodiment. As shown inFIG. 1, mobile robot 111 has moved from a resting location, acquiredtape reels, and is moving toward a tape drive to load the tape reels inthe tape drive for reading tape therefrom. Also, mobile robot 108 hasretrieved tape reels from a tape drive which has completed a readingoperation, and is returning the tape reels to their storage location. Ofcourse, this movement is exemplary only, and not meant to be limiting onthe invention in any way. The mobile robots 110 may retrieve at leastone tape reel, but may preferably overlap their tape retrievaloperations, depending on the desired embodiment.

The mobile robots 110 may move in straight line increments, or may movemore naturally in arcing patterns between positions on the surface,according to various embodiments. Also, the mobile robots 110 may avoidobjects in their path according to any method as would be understood byone of skill in the art upon reading the present descriptions.

In some previous tape library geometries, a library gripper accesses anarray of tape reels and/or tape cartridges, through motion of a firstcarriage along a rail or pair of rails. The first carriage in turn holdsanother set of rails or guides which enables motion of a second carriageholding the gripper. The scheme enables the gripper to access anywherein two dimensions, where the tape reels or tape cartridges are located.Alternately, in some previous designs, the second carriage has beenreplaced by a rotary motion which operates about the axes of the firstcarriage. This scheme limits the flexibility of the library, becausegrippers (or robots) may interfere with one another. For example, if thegrippers use the same set of rails, then they cannot move past eachother. Also, there is generally no available space in tape libraries forthe installation of an additional set of rails, so this scheme isseverely limited in its functionality. In addition, these previousdesigns do not facilitate easy recovery of access to the tape reelsand/or tape cartridges when a gripper fails.

In various embodiments, various systems herein use “unconstrained”robots, which facilitate access to the tape reels and/or tapecartridges. Here, the term “unconstrained” indicates that movement isnot constrained to rails, tracks, guideways, pathways, etc., but insteadmovement is free in at least two dimensions, e.g., along a surface.Thus, unconstrained mobile robots are easily added or removed from thesurface, and they can easily maneuver around each other along thesurface, since they are not fixed to a rail or track.

In other approaches, gantry-type robotic accessors may be used totransport tape reels and/or cartridges.

In yet other approaches, any type of transport mechanism may be used tomove tape reels and/or cartridges.

As shown in FIG. 3, according to one embodiment, the surface acrosswhich the mobile robots 110 travel unconstrained may be an upper surface302 (such as a ceiling in one approach) and may be unpatterned so thatthe mobile robots 110 are unconstrained, e.g., not limited to motion onparticular tracks, paths, rails, etc. Thus each mobile robot 110 iscapable of movement independent of movement of any other mobile robot110, e.g., each mobile robot 110 may cross the path that any othermobile robot 110 has taken or will take. Similarly, by attaching themobile robot 110 to a surface 302 separate from a surface 304 supportingthe tape reels 102, the mobile robots 110 are not constrained to followaisles, paths, corridors, etc., between groups, colmmns, rows, etc., oftape reels 102. In one example, this movement may be analogous to themovement of a shopping cart through a supermarket. However, instead ofbeing constrained to moving between the shelves of the supermarket, themobile robots 110 are capable of moving unconstrained along the ceilingof the supermarket, capable of selecting any desired item from below inthe shelves, as an example. The ability to use multiple mobile robots110 to access a group of tape reels 102 provides faster access of short,popular files. This geometry is much more flexible than previousconfigurations, in which the tape cartridge grippers were supported on xand y positioners which could not cross paths. The mobile robots 110 maybe coupled to the upper surface 302 using magnets 310 or some othercoupling or attraction device that biases the mobile robots 110 towardsthe upper surface 302. By allowing the mobile robots 110 to maneuver onthe upper surface 302, the tape reels 102 may simply rest on a lowersurface 304, such as a floor. The magnets 310 may bias the mobile robot110 toward the upper surface 302 with much more force than gravitybiases the mobile robot 110 toward the lower surface 304, allowing amuch higher frictional force of the mobile robot wheels 306, 308,thereby enabling faster robot acceleration and thus faster seek times.

In one approach, the mobile robot 110 may have three wheels 306, 308;two rear wheels 308 and one front (maneuvering) wheel 306 or ball. Inanother three-wheel configuration, the mobile robot 110 may have twofront wheels 308, and a rear (maneuvering) wheel 306 or ball. For sakeof clarity, a maneuvering wheel in this discussion indicates a wheelwhose direction of positioning or rotation with respect to the robotbody is not fixed. Of course, the mobile robot 110 may have any numberof wheels 306, 308 or other apparatus for causing movement of the mobilerobot 110 as would be known to one of skill in the art. For example, oneembodiment of the mobile robot 110 may have two drive wheels and two(maneuvering) wheels or balls. Steering of the robot may be accomplishedin any known manner, such as by independently driving two of the wheelswith a caster-type maneuvering wheel, steering using the maneuveringwheel, and driving and steering with the maneuvering wheel, etc.

The mobile robot 110 may have a reel gripper 312, which when the mobilerobot 110 is positioned above a desired tape reel 102 or set of tapereels 102, may grab, attract (for example, magnetically), secure, orotherwise take hold of the tape reel 102 such that it may be loaded intothe mobile robot 110 and transported to a tape drive or back from a tapedrive to the tape reel's storage location. In one approach, the mobilerobot 110 may include a reel gripper 312 which may move the reels 102vertically from a horizontal rest area 304, for engagement with the atleast one mobile robot 110 thereabove. Moreover, according to variousapproaches, the reel gripper 312 may include a retractable arm, amagnet, a suction device, etc.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the mobilerobot 110 may have a height such that it may be able to maneuver abovethe tape reels 102 in a space H of about 1.75″, which measures about 1Uin a standard rack configuration. The smallest units used forrack-mounted computer components are “1U” units, which are 1.75″ high.Since a reel for standard 0.5″ wide magnetic tape may be as thin as0.58″, this 1U unit may be thick enough to hold a single layer ofstorage having a layer of tape reels 102 plus mobile robots 110. Thus asingle layer design having mobile robots 110, tape reels 102, and drivesmay be used for various tape library configurations, ranging from asingle layer to multiple stacked layers, which may fill an entirestorage room, or any size desired.

In one approach, the plurality of tape reels 102 may be spaced from andlocated within a distance of about 15 cm from the upper surface, e.g.,15±1.5 cm, less than about 20 cm, less than about 10 cm, less than about5 cm, or any value in the foregoing ranges.

The Linear Media Storage Module 100 may also comprise a controller 112for directing movement of the mobile robot 110. The controller 112 maybe on board the mobile robot 110, or away from the robot 110 (as shownin FIG. 1) and in communication therewith via any type of communicationchannel (such as wireless, wired, infrared, etc.).

According to one illustrative embodiment, a Linear Media Storage Module100 comprises at least one tape drive 104 configured for reading datafrom tape stored on one of a plurality of tape reels 102, at least onemobile robot 110 having a volume of less than about 1000 cubic inches(and in some approaches less than about 900 in³, less than about 750in³, less than about 500 in³, less than about 250 in³, less than about100 in³, less than about 50 in³) configured for selectively retrievingone or more of the plurality of tape reels 102 and transporting the oneor more retrieved tape reels 102 to the tape drive 104. The mobile robot110 moves along a surface, and is preferably not mechanicallyconstrained to move along a pre-determined trackway or path (i.e., it isunconstrained). In some approaches, the mobile robot 110 may bemechanically unconstrained and may be able to move autonomously acrossthe surface via any desired path.

To assist in navigation of the mobile robot 110, at least one of thelower and upper surfaces may include an optical pattern usable fornavigation of the mobile robot 110, and the mobile robot 110 may beconfigured for recognizing the optical pattern.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the lower surface or floor 304, for example, mayinclude an optical pattern 402 designed for the mobile robot to locateits position. This optical pattern 402 may be a rectangular gridextending over the entire floor 304, with each grid square 404 labeledwith readable code identifying the row and column of the particular gridsquare 404. This readable code may take any form as would be understoodby one of skill in the art.

The floor 304 may be planar, as shown in FIG. 4B, covered with smallindentations as shown in FIG. 4C, or have lattice defining receptacleareas in which the tape reels 102 are positioned as shown in FIG. 4D,according to various embodiments. By extending the lattice up past thetape reels 102, it may form a surface on which the mobile robot 110 maybe supported, and the mobile robots 110 would not maneuver along theupper surface but instead would maneuver on the lower surface formed bythe top surface of the lattice, according to one embodiment. In anotherapproach, as shown in FIG. 4E, posts 401 may extend upwardly from thelower surface 304 to hold reels in place. The posts 401 may be used incombination with other approaches, such as those shown in FIGS. 4B and4C.

The design of the mobile robot 110 may include additional features,abilities, etc., as would be understood by one of skill in the art uponreading the present descriptions. In one embodiment, a mobile robot 110is shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, according to one approach. In this example, oneor more motors 508 power symmetric drives wheels 308 that allow forwardand backward motion, and in a further approach, the drive wheels 308 mayprovide steering if the drive wheels 308 are operated independentlyusing two symmetric drive motors 508. These motors 508 may be attachedto each wheel 308 by a single step-down gear. The mobile robot 110 mayadditionally be supported by one or more other omni-directional passivewheels 306, which may move in any direction, and may be maneuverable(e.g., steerable, positionable, etc.), in some approaches. Theomni-directional wheel(s) 306 may be caster wheels, and more preferablymay be spherical balls which are also referred to as ball transfers.

To pick up the tape reel(s) 102, a simple platform-type reel gripper 312may be lowered and raised by a solenoid or motor (not shown). If thetape reels 102 are topped by a magnetic plate, the tape reels 102 may begripped to the simple platform-type reel gripper 312 by energizingelectromagnets 502. One or more cameras 504 may allow for navigation ofthe mobile robot 110. A camera 504 may be placed above each reel holdingposition 506, enabling the mobile robot 110 to determine its positionand to deliver a tape reel 102 directly into a tape drive. The mobilerobot 110 need not be made precisely, because the cameras 504 maysimultaneously image the tape reels 102 and location grid (or the tapereel chucks on the drive) to precisely position the tape reels 102, insome approaches.

To enable multiple mobile robots 110 to work in the same work space,such as the same floor, there are preferably no cables attached to themobile robots 110. The mobile robot 110 uses little power, and a peakspeed of about 2 m/s in some embodiments is sufficient to pick up thetape reel 102 and bring it to the drive within a half second. For a 150gram mobile robot 110, the corresponding kinetic energy would be about0.3 Joule. This amount of energy may be supplied by a rechargeablebattery, through inductive coupling, etc., but a capacitor, with itsextremely long lifetime, may be preferable. In one embodiment, an 80volt, 1000 μF electrolytic capacitor which includes 3.2 Joules, yet isonly 16 mm diameter by 40 mm long may be used. The mobile robot 110 maybe recharged at its parking position, or at the tape drive when it loadsthe tape reel 102. In addition, the robot may also obtain power foroperation and/or charging via contacting a surface which includes powerdistribution capability of a type known in the art. The robot may alsoobtain power for operation and/or control information via a tether.

As shown in FIG. 5B, according to a preferred embodiment, the tape reels102 are positioned on a floor 304, the surface 302 is opposite the floor304, and the mobile robot 110 is biased toward the surface 302, such asthrough magnetic biasing (by using magnets 310), thereby suspending themobile robot 110 above the tape reels 102. For example, the mobile robot110 may be magnetically biased toward the upper surface 302.

As shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, a library controller may communicate with themobile robots 110 by light, such as infrared (IR); radio frequency (RF);etc., and may be differentiated on each level of the Linear MediaStorage Module 100 to avoid cross-talk. The library controller computesa path the mobile robot 110 is to take to pick up and drop off the tapereels and load the tape reels in the tape drives 104. The mobile robot110 may servo along the path by using its cameras, in one approach, orit may use encoders on its motors or wheels to servo, using the camerasonly for fine adjustments, in another embodiment.

In one embodiment, the Linear Media Storage Module 100 may comprise aplurality of tape drives 104, where each tape drive 104 is positioned onthe floor supporting the tape reels, the floor being below the surfaceon which the mobile robots 110 maneuver by a distance sufficient toallow movement of the mobile robots 110 therebetween (between the tapereels and the surface).

In large multilayer Linear Media Storage Modules 128, mobile robots 110may move between floors using ramps 604. This enables the mobile robots110 themselves to load different floors with tape reels, and torebalance the work load by optimally locating the mobile robots 110 andorganizing the tape reels. The relative number of mobile robots 110,tape reels, and tape drives 104 may be determined by the accessfrequency of the files, data, etc.

According to one approach, multiple surfaces having a spaced and stackedconfiguration may be used, and the mobile robot 110 is configured totravel between the multiple surfaces. In this approach, at least oneramp 604 may be provided, connecting at least two of the multiplesurfaces, thereby permitting the mobile robot 110 to travel between themultiple surfaces. In various approaches, there may be no cable coupledbetween the mobile robot 110 and any other component of the system,thereby facilitating travel of the mobile robot 110 between the multiplesurfaces.

As illustrated in FIG. 6B, according to one embodiment, one or more tapedrives 104 may be secured directly to the floors 606 of a Linear MediaStorage Module 100 having one or more levels. In addition, the mobilerobots 110 may be attracted to the ceilings 602. In this design, thedrive(s) 104 may be easily positioned at any location in the LinearMedia Storage Module 100 by simply leaving space in the array of reels(not shown). This arrangement facilitates reconfiguration of the LinearMedia Storage Module 100 after it has been manufactured, along withreplacement of failed tape drives should they occur. For example, themobile robots 110 may be adapted for moving and/or relocating a tapedrive 104. At least one tape drive 104 may be positioned on each levelof the Linear Media Storage Module 100, according to one embodiment.

The library can be configured to have “spare” tape drives 104 and mobilerobots 110 ready to be put into use upon failure of other tape drivesand mobile robots, according to one embodiment. In another embodiment,when extra tape drives 104 or mobile robots 110 are to be used, due tosome factor, such as an increased work load, failed mobile robots and/ortape drives, etc., the Linear Media Storage Module 100 may allow addingor removing tape drives, tape reels, and/or mobile robots by the userafter manufacture of the Linear Media Storage Module 100.

As mentioned above, conventional tape libraries implement tapecartridges for storing tape in a tightly packed array. However, anyportion of the tape cartridge volume that does not contain a tape storedtherein creates an overhead penalty, reducing the overall volumetricdata density of the system.

In contrast to such conventional products, a clip may be implemented incombination with a tape reel according to any of the embodimentsdescribed and/or suggested herein. Moreover, the clip may serve the dualpurpose of protecting tape stored on the tape reel, and facilitating thetape end transfer, e.g., to a tape drive, without incurring a volumetricoverhead penalty. As a result, the tape reels may be stored within atightly packed array, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, and yet be protectedwith minimal volumetric overhead.

FIGS. 7A-7D depict a product 700, in accordance with one embodiment. Asan option, the present product 700 may be implemented in conjunctionwith features from ally other embodiment listed herein, such as thosedescribed with reference to the other FIGS. Of course, however, suchproduct 700 and others presented herein may be used in variousapplications and/or in permutations which may or may not be specificallydescribed in the illustrative embodiments listed herein. Further, theproduct 700 presented herein may be used in any desired environment.Thus FIGS. 7A-7D (and the other FIGS.) should be deemed to include anyand all possible permutations.

Looking to FIGS. 7A-7B, the product 700 is illustrated as having a reel702. Depending on the embodiment, the reel 702 may be a device, such asa cylinder, spool, frame, etc. that is rotatable about an axis, e.g.,when mounted on a chuck, and is used for winding and storing tape, film,or other flexible materials, as will soon become apparent. Moreover,according to other approaches, the reel 702 may include any of theembodiments described herein with reference to reel(s) 102 of variousFIGS.

With continued reference to FIGS. 7A-7B, the product 700 also includes atape 704 coupled to the reel 702. The tape 704 may be a conventionaltape of any type, preferably a magnetic recording tape, but is notlimited thereto. Moreover, according to various approaches, the tape 704may be coupled to the reel 702 using any conventional method, e.g., abonding agent, fastener, a groove, etc.

Additionally the product 700 includes a spring-like clip 706 which iscoupled to a free end of the tape 704. With reference to the presentdescription, the “free end” of the tape 704 is defined as the end of thetape 704 that is unwound from the reel 702 first. In other words, thefree end of the tape 704 is the end of the tape 704 which is oppositethe end coupled to the reel 702, as described above. Thus, one end ofthe tape 704 is preferably coupled to the reel 702, while the other endof the tape 704 (the free end) is coupled to the spring-like clip 706.

Moreover, it should also be noted that “spring-like” is intended to meanthat at least a portion of the clip 706 is resiliently deformable. Thus,under zero external tension, the clip preferably returns to its at restshape, e.g., a rounded shape as shown in FIGS. 7C-7D. Moreover, byapplying tension of about 0.5 Newtons (N) to about 1 N, e.g., similar tothe values observed in exemplary tape transport systems, the resilientlydeformable characteristic of the clip may be counteracted, therebydeforming the clip 706 from its rounded shape to enable transferring toa take-up reel (e.g., see 810 of FIGS. 8B-8D).

This resiliently deformable characteristic may result from differentdesigns and/or materials used to form the spring-like clip 706.Specifically, the durability of the clip 706 material preferably allowsa sufficient number of deformations (e.g., above 100,000) whileretaining the ability to rebound to a rounded shape. Additionally, thedesign of the clip 706 preferably results in embodiments of the clip 706having low inertia values, thereby allowing for the clip 706 to be usedin a high-speed, high-throughput storage system.

According to an exemplary embodiment, which is in no way intended tolimit the invention, the strain for fully straightening a clip having athickness of about 0.05 mm, and a 19 mm diameter is about 1.3×10⁻³.Furthermore, a steel clip with a Young's modulus of about 200 GPa, thestress associated with this strain may be about 260 MPa. If the stressin the clip is less than 40-60% of the ultimate tensile strength, theclip will not fail from fatigue. However, this stress value is wellbelow the yield strength of most resiliently deformable materials.Moreover, coupling a clip to and/or decoupling a clip from a tape reelpreferably does not include fully straightening the clip against theclip's bias towards a rounded shape, but may include the clip assuming arelatively less-curved geometry when pulled by an engagement feature,thereby permitting the clip to be passed to a take-up reel. Thus, theactual stress exerted on the clip in various embodiments describedherein is preferably lower than the yield strength of the resilientlydeformable materials used in the various clips.

According to some approaches, the clip 706 may include a metal such assteel, e.g., PH 15-7 steel, PH 17-7 steel, spring steel, 300 seriesstainless steel etc.; CuBe; etc. However, in other approaches, the clip706 may include a moldable plastic, and/or any other resilientlydeformable material. Moreover, in some approaches, thermal treatment maybe performed on the clip material in the desired shape of the clip 706,thereby helping attain the appropriate spring-like properties of theclip 706. In further approaches, the clip 706 may be magneticallypermeable to protect the underlying tape from stray magnetic fields.

In different approaches, the clip 706 may be coupled to the free end ofthe tape 704 using any of the methods described above for coupling thetape 704 to the reel 702. However, in a preferred approach, the clip 706may be coupled to the free end of the tape 704 in a manner that wouldprevent the junction between the tape and the spring-like clip 706 fromcausing damage to the tape. Thus, according to an illustrativeembodiment, the clip 706 may be coupled to the free end of the tape 702by a tape leader 708, e.g., using an adhesive.

Looking to FIG. 7B, the tape leader 708 may serve as a protective layerbetween the clip 706 and the tape 704, e.g., when the tape 704 is woundon the reel 702. Thus, according to one approach, once the tape 704 hasbeen wound onto the reel 702, the tape leader 708 may be wrapped overthe tape 704 before the clip 706 is positioned in a wrapped position,whereby the clip 706 may be placed over the tape leader 708, as will bedescribed in detail below.

It follows that the tape leader 708 may have a length, as measuredbetween the clip 706 and the tape 704, of at least one circumference ofan outer surface of the tape 704 when the tape 704 is wound completelyon the reel 702. Moreover, the tape leader may have a preferred widththat is about the same dimension as the average width of the tape towhich the tape leader 708 is coupled. Thus, the tape leader 708 may beable to cover the whole outer surface of the tape 704, when wound on thereel 702. However, according to other approaches, the tape leader 708may have a length and/or width that is shorter or longer than theaforementioned dimensions, depending on the desired embodiment.

The tape leader 708 preferably includes a flexible material, e.g., suchthat it may be wrapped onto the reel in a similar fashion as the tape.However, according to various embodiments, the tape leader 708 may bemade of any conventional materials e.g., that would not cause damage tothe tape when coming into contact therewith, as would be appreciated byone skilled in the art upon reading the present description. Moreover,depending on the desired embodiment, the tape leader 708 may have athickness from about 0.013 mm to about 0.064 mm, but could be higher orlower depending on the desired embodiment.

With continued reference to FIGS. 7A-7B, as briefly mentioned above, theclip 706 may be selectively positionable in a wrapped position. Lookingto FIG. 7B specifically, when the clip 706 is in a wrapped position, theclip 706 may wrap around at least a portion of the tape 704, when thetape 704 is wound onto the reel 702, thereby holding the portion of thetape 704 in place on the reel 702. Depending on the embodiment, theportion of the tape 704 may be some or all of an outer circumference ofthe tape 704 on the reel 702. This desirably minimizes and/or eliminatesany volumetric storage overhead, and allows a mechanism to access anyreel within a tightly packed array, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring again to FIG. 7B, it follows that the clip 706 may havedifferent lengths, depending on the desired embodiment, e.g., dependingon the portion of a tape 704 being held by the clip 706 and/or the sizeof a given tape when wrapped on a reel. According to one approach, thelength of the clip 706, as measured between a free end of the clip andan end of the clip coupled to the tape 704, may be at least one-half acircumference of an outer surface of the tape 704 when wound completelyon the reel 702. However, according to another approach, the length ofthe clip 706 may be greater than a circumference of an outer surface ofthe tape 704 when the tape 704 is wound completely on the reel 702.

Furthermore, according to other approaches, the width of the clip 706,as measured perpendicular to its length, may also vary, depending on thedesired embodiment. Thus, according to various embodiments, the width ofthe clip 706 may be in a range from about 20% of a width of the tape 704to about 100% of a width of the tape 704, as measured in the samedirection as the width of the clip 706. Such embodiments may allow theclip 706 to be positioned within the reel flanges when positioned in awrapped position.

According to yet another embodiment, the width of the clip 706 may begreater than a width of the tape 704, as measured in the same direction,e.g., thereby providing more protection for the tape 704. In such anapproach, the clip 706 may encircle the outer edges of the reel flanges.However, in another approach, e.g., as shown in FIG. 7G, the reelflanges 720 may include grooves 722 for receiving the clip 706, e.g.,such that the tape 704 is effectively sealed in therebelow.

The dimensions, e.g., the width and/or length, of the clip may depend onthe size of a given tape when wrapped on a reel. For example, a clipdesigned to wrap around about a full circumference of an outer surfaceof a first tape may have a length and/or width different from that of aclip designed to wrap around about a full circumference of an outersurface of a second tape. Thus, dimensions of the embodiments describedand/or suggested herein are not to be limited to any one tape storageplatform, but rather are intended to include any tape and/or tape reeldesign available in the industry.

With continued reference to FIGS. 7A-7D, as alluded to above, the clip706 preferably has spring-like characteristics, e.g., such that at leasta portion of the clip 706 is resiliently deformable. The spring-likecharacteristics of the clip 706 helps the clip 706 remain in a wrappedposition on the reel 702, even in the presence of external vibration andmechanical shock. Thus, the clip 706 may ensure that the free end of thetape 704 is securely held on the reel 702.

In an exemplary embodiment, which is in no way intended to limit theinvention, the stiffness of the clip 706 may vary along a length thereofbetween the free end of the clip and the end coupled to the tape 704(opposite the free end of the clip). According to one approach, a freeend of the clip 706 may have a greater stiffness than an end of the clip706 coupled to the tape 704. This allows the region of the clip 706closer to the tape 704 to flex more freely, thereby beneficiallyreducing the bending experienced at the interface of the clip 706 andthe tape 704. As a result, this varied stiffness of the clip 706 maydesirably reduce the wear experienced by the tape 704, which mayotherwise result from placing the clip 706 into a wrapped position(e.g., see 7A), and removing it therefrom (e.g., see FIG. 7A).

According to one approach, the varied stiffness of the clip 706 asdescribed above may result from the clip 706 having a varied thickness,e.g., tapered thickness, along its length, where larger thickness of theclip corresponds to greater stiffness values thereof. According tovarious embodiments, the thickness of the clip 706, e.g., anywhere alongthe length thereof, may be from about 0.025 mm to about 0.51 mm, but maybe higher or lower depending on the desired embodiment, material ofconstruction (e.g., plastic material may be thicker than a metaldesign), etc. Thus, according to an exemplary embodiment, which is in noway intended to limit the invention, the free end of the clip 706 mayhave a thickness of about 0.20 mm, while the end of the clip 706 coupledto the tape leader 708 may have a thickness of about 0.05 mm, where thethickness of the clip is gradually tapered about evenly from the freeend of the clip 706 to the opposite end thereof, coupled to the tapeleader 708.

In addition to tapering the thickness of the clip 706, other designs maybe incorporated to reduce wear experienced by the tape 704, depending onthe desired embodiment. According to one approach, at least one surfaceof the clip 706, and in some approaches both surfaces of the clip 706,may have a surface feature for reducing surface friction of the clip 706between the clip 706 and an abutting surface, e.g., the tape 704 and/orthe tape leader 708, e.g., by reducing the surface area of the clip 706in contact with the tape 704 and/or tape leader 708. The surface featuremay include any number or type of textures, patterns, materialcombinations, voids, etc. that may desirably reduce the surface frictionof the clip 706 and/or facilitate clip unloading. Moreover, the surfacefeature of the clip 706 may be formed using molds, stamps, etching,etc., depending on the desired embodiment.

Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 7B-7C, a free end of the clip 706,which is opposite the end of the clip 706 coupled to the tape 704, mayhave a bent portion 712, which preferably angles away from the tape whenthe clip is in a wrapped position around the spooled tape. Depending onthe preferred approach, the bent portion 712 may be for at least one of,enabling optical detection of the bent portion 712, and keeping the freeend of the clip 706 off of the tape 704, thereby preventing damage tothe tape 704 caused by an edge of the free end of the clip otherwisecoming into contact with the tape thereunder. Thus, according to anillustrative approach, to enable optical detection of the bent portion712, a tape drive (e.g., see 104 of FIG. 1) may include an opticaldetector, which is preferably able to detect an optical signal reflectedoff the bent portion 712 of the clip 706, as will be discussed in detailbelow.

Furthermore, according to additional approaches, the bent portion 712may also assist in preventing the free end of the clip 706 from catchingon a transfer mechanism (e.g., see FIG. 7E). The bent portion 712 mayalso assist in preventing bowing of the clip 706 during engagementand/or disengagement of the clip 706 to and from a transfer mechanism.

Looking still to FIGS. 7A-7D, the clip 706 also includes an engagementfeature 710. According to a preferred approach, the engagement feature710 may be designed to enable the clip 706 to be pulled from the wrappedposition, thereby decoupling the clip 706 from the wound body of tape704, and allowing the tape 704 to be unwound from the reel 702, e.g., asshown in FIG. 7A.

The engagement feature 710 preferably enables high speed automatedengagement and/or disengagement of the clip 706 from the reel 702. Thus,the engagement feature 710 is preferably able to be easily and reliablyengaged by a mechanism (e.g., a transfer mechanism) to disengage of theclip 706 from the reel 702, and transfer the clip 706 onto a take-upreel, e.g., see 810 of FIGS. 8B-8D. This engagement may also be easilyreversed when unloading the clip 706 from the take-up reel, and engagingit back onto the reel 702.

According to some approaches, the engagement feature 710 may include atleast one of a hole and a barb (e.g., see FIG. 7F). However, in otherapproaches, the engagement feature 710 may be a bent portion of thespring-like clip 706 (e.g., see FIG. 7F). For example, as illustrated inFIG. 7C, the engagement feature 710 may be a barb protruding from thecurved surface of the clip 706, formed e.g., by punching a tab from thebulk material of the clip 706.

In still further approaches, the engagement feature 710 may include abarb or hook formed by folding a portion of the clip 706 back towardsitself, e.g., as depicted in FIG. 7D. In such approaches, the engagementfeature 710 may thereby act as the bent portion 712 illustrated in FIGS.7B-7C, in that, the portion of the clip 706 folded back towards itselfto form the engagement feature 710 may enable optical detection thereof.According to various approaches, the engagement feature may have alength of about 0.05 in to about 0.125 in, as measured from the surfaceof the clip, but may be shorter or longer, depending on the desiredembodiment.

Various types of tape threading systems known in the art may be adaptedfor use with the products and/or systems described herein, according tovarious embodiments. For example, if tape reels are used individually(not as pairs), a standard threader mechanism may be used to thread thetape reel onto the tape drive, according to one embodiment. Moreover,for tape reels having a spring-like clip, a threader mechanism capableof removing the spring-like clip before accessing the tape maypreferably be used, as will soon become apparent.

According to various embodiments, an engagement feature may be used toassist in the coupling and/or decoupling of a clip from a wound body oftape. As described above, a transfer mechanism may be usable to engageand/or disengage a clip from a reel using an engagement feature of theclip. FIGS. 7E-7F illustrate representational in-use diagrams ofexemplary transfer mechanisms 714 which are in no way intended to limitthe invention.

Looking to FIGS. 7E-7F, the transfer mechanism 714 may have a differentdesign depending on the design of the engagement feature 710. Asillustrated in the in-use diagram of FIG. 7E, the transfer mechanism 714includes a cutout 716 which the engagement feature 710 of the clip 706is able to engage. According to one approach, the cutout 716 of thetransfer mechanism 714 may extend all the way through the transfermechanism 714, as illustrated in FIG. 7E. However, according to otherapproaches, the cutout 716 may extend only partially through thetransfer mechanism 714, e.g., similar to a notch in which the engagementfeature 710 may be fixed when under tension.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the bent portion 712 of the clip706 is illustrated as preventing the transfer mechanism 714 frombecoming wedged between the body of the clip 706 and the engagementfeature 710. As described above, this desirably prevents the transfermechanism 714 from becoming unable to disengage the engagement feature710, thereby preserving the functionality of the system in which thetransfer mechanism 714 and/or engagement feature 710 are located.

According to another approach, FIG. 7F illustrates a transfer mechanism714 which includes a hook-like member 718. In a preferred approach, thehook-like member 718 of the transfer mechanism 714 is designed to engagethe barb-like engagement feature 710 of the clip 706, as depicted.

As previously mentioned, the representational in use diagrams shown inFIGS. 7E-7F may be implemented in a system, preferably having a tapedrive. FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate systems having a tape drive 104 whichincorporates such engagement features (e.g., see 710 of FIG. 7),according to two different embodiments. As an option, the presentsystems may be implemented in conjunction with features from any otherembodiment listed herein, such as those described with reference to theother FIGS. Of course, however, such systems and others presented hereinmay be used in various applications and/or in permutations which may ormay not be specifically described in the illustrative embodiments listedherein. Further, the systems presented herein may be used in any desiredenvironment. Thus FIGS. 8A-8D (and the other FIGS.) should be deemed toinclude any and all possible permutations.

Referring now to FIG. 8A, the system includes a tape drive 104 whichitself may have no threader. Rather, a mobile robot 110 may beconfigured to thread tape 806 of the retrieved tape reel 702 onto thetape drive 104. In one approach, a mobile robot 110 loads the tape 806provided on a pair of tape reels 804, 804, by first dropping off onereel 702 on the tape drive 104, and then the other reel 804 on a reelchuck 808, for which a reel motor may wind the tape 806. Alternately, ifthe tape 806 is stored on one reel only (such as reel 702), the mobilerobot 110 may move an end of the tape not on the reel 702 to secure itto the inboard drive wheel, as described in relation to FIGS. 8B-8D. Asa result, the precision of the mobile robot 110 motion is much greaterthan that of a leader pin loader mechanism as used in conventionalproducts.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8B-8D, a single reel 702 oftape 806 may be loaded onto a reel chuck 814 and motor, e.g., forrotating the reel 702, which are fixed to a carriage 816 that is adaptedto follow a guide 818 that allows for motion of the chuck 814 around thetape drive 104 to facilitate threading of the tape 806. Before loadingthe reel 702 on the chuck 814, the chuck 814 is brought into proximityof the inboard (take-up) reel 810, as shown in FIG. 8B. After the mobilerobot (not shown for clarity) places the reel 702 on the chuck 814, amechanism 714 attaches the end of the tape 806 to the take-up reel 810.See FIG. 8C. At this point, the tape 806 may be transferred betweenreels 802 and 810 as part of a preliminary locate operation, before thetape 806 contacts the recording head 820 or any guide surfaces, such asrollers, thus enabling faster tape locate with reduced tape damage anddrive wear.

In a further approach, during the loading process described above, itmay be beneficial to detect the rotational orientation of the reel 702,e.g., such that an engagement feature of a clip coupled to the reel 702may be located. This location may be accomplished using a beam of lightthat is reflected off of a feature on the clip. This feature may includea small reflector positioned at an angle with respect to thecircumference of the clip that reflects the light beam into a detector,e.g., a bent portion 712 as presented in FIGS. 7B-7C.

Therefore, according to one approach, an optical detector 845, of a typeknown in the art, may be used as a part of the process of attaching theend of the tape 806 to the take-up reel 810, as described above. Theoptical detector 845 is preferably used for detecting an orientation ofa clip having a bent portion 712 and/or the engagement feature 710,e.g., as described above with reference to FIGS. 7A-7D.

Referring still to FIG. 8C, as the chuck 814 rotates the reel 702, theoptical detector 845, and/or a light source (not shown), may emit anoptical signal towards a clip coupled to the reel 702. Moreover, as thereel 702 is rotated to the point that the optical signal hits a portionof a clip (e.g., the bent portion 712 and/or the engagement feature 710of FIGS. 7A-7F) wrapped around the reel 702, light is reflected back atthe optical detector 845. The optical detector 845 is preferably able todetect the reflection, thereby locating the bent portion and/or theengagement feature of the clip. This information assists in the processof threading the tape 806 of the retrieved tape reel 702 onto the tapedrive 104.

According to one approach which is in no way intended to limit theinvention, the mechanism 714 may be a transfer mechanism for engaging anengagement feature of the clip. Once the transfer mechanism has engagedthe engagement feature, it may pull the clip from the wrapped positionon the tape reel 702 as described above, and load the clip onto thetake-up reel 810, all of which preferably occurs in less than about 100milliseconds, but could be slower. Upon loading the clip onto thetake-up reel 810, a winding process may initiate, e.g., to perform apreliminary locate operation, as described above. This rapid operationof the loading and/or unloading of a clip imposes additional forces onthe clip that may be taken into account when designing the thickness,length, material composition, etc. of the clip, depending on the desiredembodiment.

Moreover, in other approaches, the system may include a controller(e.g., see 228 of FIG. 2), coupled to at least the optical detector 845,that may assist in the preliminary locate operation.

Looking now to FIG. 8D, the chuck 814, reel motor and tape reel 702 aremoved along the guide 818 to a final position, where the tape 806 may beread from and/or written to.

In another embodiment, rather than moving the library reel 702 andcarriage 816, the take-up reel 810 and its motor may be moved to threadthe tape drive 104. In yet another embodiment, if the tape 806 is storedon a pair of reels, the mobile robot may position the two reels directlyon the tape drive 104, where the tape 806 may be located beforethreading.

However, as described above, an alternative approach to storing a tapeon a single reel is to use a pair of reels. Storing the tape on pairs ofreels has an advantage in that after loading, the tape is ready to beused and does not need to be wound onto another inboard reel. Also, whenthe tape is finished being used, both reels may be removed with thetape, and the tape does not need to be unwound from the inboard reel inorder to be removed.

According to another exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8E-8H, thetape 806 may be held on two tape reels 102, and a method may be usedwhich avoids the unreliability of a leader pin. In this approach, thereel drive chucks 822 may be spaced with the same close spacing of thetape reels 102 in their storage position. The mobile robot places thetape reels 102 on the chucks 822, as shown in FIG. SF, and two moveablerollers 824, 826 sequentially thread the tape 806 in position. First,roller 824 threads the tape 806, as shown in FIG. 8G, and then roller826 threads the tape 806, as shown in FIG. 8H. The tape 806 may locatebefore the rollers 824, 826 move into their final position, thusavoiding the extra wear and control difficulties associated with contactof the tape 806 with the roller 826 or other guide surfaces and thehead. Alternately, two smooth cylinders which form air bearings may beused to thread the tape drive, in another embodiment.

According to various embodiments, a new system architecture withincreased throughput for random input/output (IO) includes an apparatusfor performing read/write or locate operations on a first tape whileperforming a winding operation (e.g., coarse locate) on a second tape,and is described herein. As a result, the number of data blocksread/written per second by the drive (throughput) may be increased by afactor of two or more, while the cost is kept to a minimum. While a tapedrive may be occupied with the essential task of reading and/or writingdata from a particular tape, other tapes may also be loading/unloadingand locating/unlocating to and from the data position. This function maybe assimilated into a process which threads the tape into the driveafter prelocating.

Preferably, the system allows for coarse locating of a given tape to apredetermined location without actually having the tape threaded acrossthe read head. Thus, the predetermined location may be arrived atwithout actually reading the longitudinal position on the tape.According to one approach, this may preferably be achieved by having aplurality of winding stations with the ability to coarse locate a tape,and a mechanism for transferring the tape to the read head to performfine location as well as read and/or write operations.

As described in some detail above, coarse locating involves winding atape to a predetermined location, e.g., a reference location. In apreferred approach, a tape drive may include and/or be coupled to memorywhich may be used to store the location of the data written to the tapesin a tape drive. According to various approaches, the memory may includea lookup table, a controller, random access memory (RAM), etc.

Thus, when conducting a coarse location, the tape drive may utilize thelocation of the data stored in the memory to wind the tape to thereference location without actually having to read the data on the tape.Rather, a coarse location is preferably determined using the length oftape wound from a reference location. In general, the reference locationfor a given tape may be at the start of a tape. However, for embodimentshaving a dual spool configuration where the tape is not rewound oncompletion of an IO operation, the tape location for a given tape spoolpair may be stored as meta-data at the system level. According to oneapproach, this value may be updated by the fine location determinedduring the IO operation, such as reading the longitudinal position fromthe servo information on the tape. Moreover, in various otherapproaches, this location information may be stored on other media inthe system, such as on hard disk, solid state storage, etc. It may alsobe stored locally to a tape on media including, but not limited to flashcoupled to the spool. Further, it may be possible to determine thereference location from the amount of tape on each spool, e.g., usingoptical detection, inertial detection, etc.

In one approach, a predetermined tape thickness, reference location andthe number of rotations (integer and fractional) wound on a given tapespool may be enough information to determine the length of tape that hasbeen unwound to sufficient accuracy to enable a locate operation.Moreover, the length of tape that has been unwound may be compared tothe reference location to determine when the reference location has beenreached without having to read the data on the tape. According to oneapproach, a shaft encoder may be used to determine the length of tapethat has been unwound. The variation in length of modem recording tapecaused by tension, temperature, and humidity is typically less than 1000parts per million (ppm), which is low enough that according to someapproaches, the tape may be accurately positioned using only the numberof revolutions. Thus, coarse location preferably results in higherlocate speeds. Additionally, coarse location allows for the additionaladvantage of the tape not being in contact with the head, rollers,guides and/or other components of the tape drive, thereby reducing thelikelihood of the tape being damaged, as well as reducing wear of thetape drive components.

As described above, a single system, e.g., a tape drive, maysimultaneously conduct operations on two or more tapes in a preferredapproach. FIGS. 9A-9F depict various view of a system 900 with thecapability to perform overlapped operations, in accordance with oneembodiment. As an option, the present system 900 may be implemented inconjunction with features from any other embodiment listed herein, suchas those described with reference to the other FIGS. Of course, however,such system 900 and others presented herein may be used in variousapplications and/or in permutations which may or may not be specificallydescribed in the illustrative embodiments listed herein. Further, thesystem 900 presented herein may be used in any desired environment. ThusFIGS. 9A-9F (and the other FIGS.) should be deemed to include any andall possible permutations.

It should be noted that the system 900 of FIGS. 9A-9F preferably refersto a tape drive system. Furthermore, the system 900 includes a head 902for performing read and/or write operations. Thus, in one approach thehead 902 may include read and/or write transducers, e.g., of a typeknown in the art. Moreover, according to different approaches thetransducers may be in a piggyback, merged, etc. configuration, dependingon the desired embodiment.

Furthermore, the system 900 includes a first set of motors 904, 905 forperforming positioning operations on a first tape 906, as well as asecond set of motors 907, 908 for performing positioning operations on asecond tape 910. According to one approach, portions of the first and/orsecond tapes 906, 910 may be stored on one or more spools (e.g., seeFIGS. 1 and 18). However, in another approach, referring again to FIGS.9A-9F, portions of the first and/or second tapes 906, 910 may be held incartridges. Moreover, according to various approaches, the tapes ofFIGS. 9A-9F, e.g., spools, cartridges, etc., may be delivered to thedrive according to any of the approaches described and/or suggestedherein. In a preferred approach, the spools may be brought to the drivevia robots (see, e.g., 110 of FIG. 1).

In one approach, the first set 904, 905 and/or second set 907, 908 ofmotors may include a drive and storage reel mounted thereon. Thus, thedrive and storage reel of each set may effectively couple the first andsecond tapes 906, 910 to their respective set of motors. According toone approach, the drive and storage reel may use a drive chuck (e.g.,see FIGS. 7-8) to effectively couple the first and second tapes 906, 910to their respective set of motors, but is not limited thereto.

With continued reference to FIGS. 9A-9F, the system 900 additionallyincludes a path 914. As illustrated, the path 914, may act as a track,ring, arm rotating on a pivot, etc. along which a first and second drivemechanism 916, 918 are positionable. Thus, the spools and/or cartridgesholding portions of the first and/or second tapes 906, 910 maypreferably travel along a common path 914 as will soon become apparent.

The first and second drive mechanisms 916, 918 are preferably coupledto, or include, one of the first set 904, 905 and second set 907, 908 ofmotors, respectively. For example, looking to FIG. 9A, the motor 904, onthe first drive mechanism 916, may be coupled to an armature or otherreceiver for receiving a tape spool on which the first tape 906 iswrapped; while the motor 905 is coupled to a receiver for receiving theend of the first tape 906.

Referring now to FIG. 9B, as the first drive mechanism 916 moves alongthe path 914, the tape 906 may be selectively positioned over the head902.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9C, in a preferred approach, the drivemechanism 916 may sit as close as possible to the second drive mechanism918 without coming into contact therewith. As a result, the drivemechanism 916 preferably creates a large wrap angle for the tape 906across the head 902 and guides 922 (e.g., see 225 of FIG. 2), therebyminimizing the amount of tape reading and/or writing errors, e.g.,resulting from tape skew, poor skiving angle, etc.

In use, still referring to FIG. 9C, the motor 905 may begin to wind thetape 906 from the spool on the first drive mechanism 916, while the headreads and/or writes data to the tape 906.

Operation of the second drive mechanism 918 and second set 907, 908 ofmotors on the second tape 910 is similar to that of the first drivemechanism 916 and first set 904, 905 of motors.

It should be noted that similar operations as in the foregoing exampleare applicable to the second set 907, 908 of motors in combination withthe second tape 910 and drive mechanism 918 as illustrated in FIGS.9D-9E. Moreover, in another approach, one or more of the tapes may beunlocated (e.g., rewound) while being positioned across the head 902after being read from and/or written to. Furthermore, depending on thesituation, it may be desirable to position one or more of the drivemechanisms along the path 914, e.g., to achieve proper positioning forthis process.

According to the embodiments described and or suggested herein, it isdesirable, but not required, that the drive mechanisms are asymmetrical.In some approaches, the drive mechanisms may be symmetrical.

Referring still to the two-tape configuration of FIGS. 9A-9F, the tapedrive system 900 exhibits asymmetric drive mechanisms 916, 918.Referring to the present description, asymmetric drive mechanisms 916,918 are positioned such that they allow for both the first tape 906 andthe second tape 910 to be situated such that, as they are positionedover the head 902, the data containing side (e.g., outer facing side ofthe tape on a spool) of the tape faces the head 902. Thus, as long asthe tapes are wound in the counterclockwise direction, such that thedata are accessible on the outside of the tape with respect to thespool, cartridge, etc., they may be placed on either drive mechanism andthe data containing side of the tape will favorably face the head 902when wrapped thereover, as illustrated in FIGS. 9C and 9F, respectively.Another way of describing the preferable asymmetric orientation is, forboth pairs of reels, the sign (positive or negative) of the relativeangular position of the storage versus the drive reel is the same. Thus,in a preferred approach, the drive mechanisms may be asymmetrical.

According to different approaches, the drive mechanisms 916, 918 maymove along the path 914 independently of one another using any knownmechanism, such as a wheel, a motor, etc. to enable their motion. In oneapproach, the drive mechanisms are 916, 918 self-propelled. In otherapproaches, the drive mechanisms 916, 918 may be positioned along thepath via an integral positioning system of a type known in the art, suchas a conveyer belt, cabling, pivoting arm, etc. Moreover, the drivemechanisms 916, 918 may couple themselves to the path 914 itself whenwishing to remain stationary, e.g., via frictional coupling when a tapecoupled thereto is being read and/or written to by the head 902.According to various approaches, the drive mechanisms 916, 918 maycouple to the path 914 using a gripper, an arm, a break pad thatprotrudes from below the drive mechanism, etc.

With continued reference to FIGS. 9A-9F, according to variousapproaches, the path 914 may have different shapes, e.g., arcuate,circular, etc., and/or sizes, depending on the desired embodiment. Inanother approach, the path of a system may form a closed loop, as willbe discussed in further detail below (e.g., see 1320 of FIGS. 13A-13C).The different shapes and/or sizes of the path, in addition to the numberof drive mechanisms may change the number of tapes the system maysimultaneously access. According to a preferred approach, a compact pathis desirable as it may provide high rigidity and small system sizeand/or enable higher storage density. In preferred embodiments, a largewrap of the tape on the guide surfaces is provided, a factor which tendsto lead to less lateral tape motion, enabling higher track density.Thus, according to one approach, the path may include a concave profile(e.g., see FIG. 15), which preferably allows the tape being accessed tohave a large wrap angle, while providing a long enough path perimeter toaccommodate other potential reels.

The system 900 may also include a processor and logic integrated withand/or executable by the processor. In a preferred approach, the logicmay be configured to cause the first set of motors 904, 905 to pass thefirst tape 906 over the head 902 while simultaneously causing the secondset of motors 907, 908 to perform at least one of a coarse locate and arewind operation on the second tape 910. Thus, according to a preferredapproach the path 914 allows a single tape drive system 900 to accesstwo or more tapes simultaneously, thereby overlapping the tape driveoperations.

Many tape drive operations can be divided into 5 stages, some of whichinclude multiple steps. These steps and their corresponding stages mayinclude the following.

-   -   PRE:        -   Load: secure the tape reel to a first of a pair of motors.        -   Attach: secure the end of the tape to the second of the pair            of motors.        -   Locate: advance the tape to the approximate position of the            data to read or write thereto.    -   THREAD: move the drive mechanism to position the tape over the        head.    -   READ/WRITE (RW):        -   Accelerate: speed the tape up to the read/write speed.        -   Read or write the data.        -   Decelerate: slow the tape.    -   UNTHREAD: move the drive mechanism to remove the tape from the        motors.    -   POST:        -   Unlocate, move the tape back onto the tape reel.        -   Detach, the secured end of the tape.        -   Unload the tape.

As mentioned above, according to different approaches, the steps of theaforementioned stages may not all be included, and in some approaches,they may overlap. For example as the tape is decelerating after beingread, it could also be unthreading. According to another approach, thesystem 900 may also include logic integrated with and/or executable bythe processor for causing rewinding of the first tape 906 while a readand/or write operation is being performed on the second tape 910.

With continued reference to FIGS. 9A-9F, it is clear that either of thetwo tapes 906, 910 may be in any stage of the POST or PRE stages listedabove, independent of the state of the other tape. For example, lookingto the operations listed above, a first of the two tapes 906 may beloaded while the second tape 910 is loaded or unloaded simultaneously.In yet another example, which is in no way intended to limit theinvention, a locate operation may be performed on the first tape 906while a locate operation is performed on the second tape 910. In afurther example, the first tape 906 may be loaded or unloaded while alocate operation is performed on the second tape 910. Thus, in apreferred approach, the first and/or second drive mechanisms 916, 918may be in communication with the controller, e.g., to receive operatingcommands. As a result, the first and second drive mechanisms 916, 918may travel independently, thereby allowing for operations to beoverlapped, thereby greatly improving efficiency of the system. Thecontroller preferably controls the movement of the drive mechanisms sothat they do not come into contact with each other.

At any given time, only one tape may be positioned over the head to beread from and/or written to. Thus, while the first tape 906 is in RWstage (listed above), the second tape 910 typically cannot be in theTHREAD or UNTHREAD stages. However, if coordinated properly (e.g.,preferably using the controller), according to an illustrative approach,one tape may be in the process of being threaded while the other tape isin the process of being unthreaded. Looking to FIG. 9F, according to oneapproach, the system 900 may include logic integrated with and/orexecutable by the processor for causing threading of the first tape 906over the head 902 while unthreading the second tape 910 from the head902. As a result, by simultaneously threading one tape 906 whileunthreading the other 910, the access time for the given tape drivesystem 900 is favorably reduced.

Moreover, the ability to overlap operations provides significantperformance benefits when queuing at the system level. According to oneapproach, queuing may allow operations to be reordered, such as formaximum throughput, even with a single drive. For example, operationscan be reordered such that there is minimum idle time at the head, suchas by ensuring maximum overlap of locate and unlocate times. In a systemwith multiple drives, the queuing can be even more effective.

According to an exemplary embodiment, FIG. 10 illustrates a sequence ofoperations for a series of tapes listed in alphabetical order from A toF, being read in a drive. As illustrated, two tapes may be in the drivesimultaneously such that operations are overlapped. Looking to FIG. 10,Tape A is in the RW and UNTHREAD stages of operation while Tape B is inthe PRE stage of operation. Moreover, Tape A conducts POST stageoperations while Tape B is conducting THREAD and RW stage operations.Thus, FIG. 10 illustrates that if scheduled properly, the two tapes maybe in different stages of the read/write process simultaneously, withoutinterfering. According to the processing and timing conducted in FIG.10, the throughput of the drive is twice what it would be if only asingle tape was in the drive at one time. Thus, overlapping operationsof a tape drive is shown as greatly reducing access time.

According to an exemplary embodiment, which is in no way intended tolimit the invention, a tape drive system 1100 may include a merged pathconfiguration. FIG. 11 depicts a system 1100, with the capability toperform overlapped operations in accordance with one embodiment. As anoption, the present system 1100 may be implemented in conjunction withfeatures from any other embodiment listed herein, such as thosedescribed with reference to the other FIGS. Of course, however, suchsystem 1100 and others presented herein may be used in variousapplications and/or in permutations which may or may not be specificallydescribed in the illustrative embodiments listed herein. Further, thesystem 1100 presented herein may be used in any desired environment.Thus FIG. 11 (and the other FIGS.) should be deemed to include any andall possible permutations.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the tape drive system 1100 includes similarfeatures to that illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9F. However, the system 1100alternatively includes a merged path 1104. The merged path 1104 ispreferably designed such that either of the drive mechanisms 916, 918may position their respective tapes 906, 910 over the head 902.Operations of the tape drive system 1100 may be overlapped. For examplewhile the first tape 906 is being accessed by the head 902, the secondtape 910 may be coarse located, rewound, loaded, unloaded, etc.Moreover, according to other approaches, the operations of the system1100 may be overlapped according to any other approaches describedand/or suggested above. Yet, in other approaches, the system 1100 mayinclude longer “runways”, e.g., portions of the path 1104 beforereaching the merged section, which may be used to partially thread onetape while the other is being unthreaded.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a system 1200 may includeonly one drive mechanism as illustrated in FIGS. 12A-12C. FIGS. 12A-12Cdepict a tape drive system 1200 with the capability to performoverlapped operations, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option,the present system 1200 may be implemented in conjunction with featuresfrom any other embodiment listed herein, such as those described withreference to the other FIGS. Of course, however, such system 1200 andothers presented herein may be used in various applications and/or inpermutations which may or may not be specifically described in theillustrative embodiments listed herein. Further, the system 1200presented herein may be used in any desired environment. Thus FIGS.12A-12C (and the other FIGS.) should be deemed to include any and allpossible permutations.

As depicted in FIGS. 12A-12C, the system 1200 may simultaneously operateon two tapes 1204, 1206 using two pairs of motors 1208, 1210 and 1212,1214 respectively. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the system 1200 hasonly one drive mechanism 1216, e.g., compared to the two drivemechanisms illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9F.

Referring again to FIGS. 12A-12C, according to one approach, the singledrive mechanism 1216 allows for the system 1200 to be manufactured lessexpensively while providing functionality similar to embodiments havingtwo drive mechanisms. Although the single drive mechanism 1216 allowsonly one reel to execute a PRE or POST stage operation at any giventime, a RW stage operation for one tape may be executed at the same timethat a PRO or POST stage operation is performed for another tape.Additionally, the common drive mechanism 1216 allows for the first tape1204 to be unthreaded while the second tape 1206 is threaded, or viceversa.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, a system 1300 may include two drivemechanisms, each having two motors. FIGS. 13A-13C depicts a tape drivesystem 1300, with the capability to perform overlapped operations inaccordance with one embodiment. As an option, the present system 1300may be implemented in conjunction with features from any otherembodiment listed herein, such as those described with reference to theother FIGS. Of course, however, such system 1300 and others presentedherein may be used in various applications and/or in permutations whichmay or may not be specifically described in the illustrative embodimentslisted herein. Further, the system 1300 presented herein may be used inany desired environment. Thus FIGS. 13A-13C (and the other FIGS.) shouldbe deemed to include any and all possible permutations.

As depicted in FIGS. 13A-13C, the system 1300 has two pairs of motors1308, 1310 and 1312, 1314 respectively for allowing simultaneousoperation on two tapes 1304, 1306. In the illustrative system 1300, twoof the motors 1308, 1314 are mounted on one of the drive mechanisms1316, while the other two motors 1310, 1312 are mounted on the otherdrive mechanism 1318.

Additionally, the path 1320 is more extended, relative to the embodimentshown in FIG. 9A, to form a closed loop. As a result, the path 1320allows for shifting of the two drive mechanisms 1316, 1318 betweenpositions near the bottom of the path 1320, e.g., as the two tapes 1304,1306 are accessed. In a preferred approach, the two drive mechanisms1316, 1318 are kept about centered at the bottom of the path 1320 as thedata are read from and/or written to either of the tapes 1304, 1306, asillustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13C. This may preferably allow foroptimization of the tape path, e.g., by maintaining a large wrap angleof the tape around the guides 1326 (e.g., see 225 of FIG. 2) and head1302.

With continued reference to FIGS. 13A-13C, in order to switch the tapebeing accessed, the positions of the carts may be reversed. Looking toFIG. 13A, a first tape 1304 is being accessed, e.g., having data readfrom and/or written thereto. Moreover, a second tape 1306 is mountedwhere the pair of motors 1312, 1314 may be performing a coarse locate,rewind operation, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 13B, when the system wishes to access the secondtape 1306, the drive mechanisms move along the path, e.g., in acounterclockwise direction as shown, during which the first tape 1304 isunthreaded and the second tape 1306 is threaded across the head 1302. Asa result, the second tape may be accessed, while the first tape may berewound, removed, etc., as illustrated in FIG. 13C.

It should be noted that although a counterclockwise motion wasillustrated in FIGS. 13A-13C, in some approaches, the drive mechanismsmay move in a clockwise motion, or a combination of clockwise andcounterclockwise motion, to achieve the same functionality.

Moreover, in a preferred approach, the drive mechanisms may rotatecounterclockwise every other tape switch, while rotating clockwise forthe tape accesses therebetween. As a result, according to one approach,the signal and/or power connections to the drive mechanisms and/ormotors may be provided by flexible cables, e.g., because eachcounterclockwise movement is followed by a clockwise movement so theflexible cables do not become wound. However, in an alternate approach,the drive mechanisms may rotate in only a counterclockwise or clockwisedirection. Accordingly, power and/or signals may be delivered to thedrive mechanisms and/or motors thereon via contacts with the path,sliding contacts, etc. Furthermore, the power being delivered and/or thenumber of leads required for the signals being sent to the drivemechanisms and/or motors may determine the type of connection used.

Referring now to FIG. 14, according to a similar embodiment to thatillustrated in FIGS. 13A-13B, a system 1400 may include a closed looppath having three tapes which are loaded simultaneously. By increasingthe capacity of a given tape drive, the cost of the storage system as awhole is reduced as additional drive mechanisms within fewer tape drivesis a much less expensive solution to improving system throughput thanincluding additional drives.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, each of the tapes 1404, 1406, 1408 correspondto a respective set of motors 1410, 1412, 1414, 1416, 1418, 1420.Moreover, each of the individual motors 1410, 1412, 1414, 1416, 1418,1420 are mounted on separate drive mechanisms 1422, 1424, 1426, 1428,1430, 1432. As a result, operations from the PRE, POST and RW stagesdescribed above may be performed simultaneously on the three differenttapes 1404, 1406, 1408. Power and control signals may be provided to thedrive mechanisms 1422, 1424, 1426, 1428, 1430, 1432 via any knowntechnique, including those listed above.

According to one approach, the drive mechanisms may rotate in only onedirection (e.g., counterclockwise or clockwise) to switch between whichof the three tapes is being accessed. As a result, the system 1400 mayhave the advantage of requiring smaller individual angular motions toswitch positions from adjacent one of the three tapes to adjacentanother of the tapes. Such individual angular motions are preferablyless than 360°.

In another approach, the drive mechanisms 1422, 1424, 1426, 1428, 1430,1432 may be bi-directionally positionable. Thus, according to a furtherapproach, flexible cables may be used to provide power and/or signaldirections to the cart, e.g., without twisting.

In yet another exemplary embodiment. FIG. 15 depicts a system 1500having a path 1504 which incorporates a concave and a convex profile. Asmentioned above, the concave profile preferably allows for a large wrapangle for the tape 1506 being accessed, e.g., having data read fromand/or written to via the head 1502. Moreover, the concave profileadditionally provides a long enough path perimeter to accommodate theother tapes 1508, 1510. Thus, according to different approaches, whilethe first tape 1506 is engaged and/or in the process of being engagedand or disengaged with the head 1502, the other tapes 1508, 1510 may berewound, coarse located, loaded, detached, etc.

Moreover, according to various approaches, the system 1500 illustratedin FIG. 15 may incorporate any of the approaches described and/orsuggested herein. Thus FIG. 15 (and the other FIGS.) should be deemed toinclude any and all possible permutations.

FIGS. 16A-16D depicts a system 1600, in accordance with one embodiment.As an option, the present system 1600 may be implemented in conjunctionwith features from any other embodiment listed herein, such as thosedescribed with reference to the other FIGS. Of course, however, suchsystem 1600 and others presented herein may be used in variousapplications and/or in permutations which may or may not be specificallydescribed in the illustrative embodiments listed herein. Further, thesystem 1600 presented herein may be used in any desired environment.Thus FIGS. 16A-16D (and the other FIGS.) should be deemed to include anyand all possible permutations.

Referring now to FIGS. 16A-16D, rather than moving two or more tapes ina drive to be operated upon by a single head, the head 1602, andoptionally tape guides, can be positioned to selectively engage thetapes, as will soon become apparent. The system 1600 includes a path1614 along which the head 1602 is movable to selectively engage each ofthe tapes 1606, 1610. The system 1600 may also include logic integratedwith and/or executable by a processor of a controller for controllingoperations of the system 1600.

As illustrated in FIGS. 16A-16B, a first spool 1620 holding a portion ofthe first tape 1606 is moved towards an extended position along a tapetrack 1624. Once in the extended position, the first tape 1606 extendsacross the path 1614 along which the head 1602 is movable for enabling aread and/or write operation on the first tape 1606.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIGS. 16C-16D, after the operation shown inFIG. 16B is completed, the head 1602 is retracted and the first spool1620 is retracted towards a retracted position. The second spool 1622holding a portion of the second tape 1610 is moved towards an extendedposition along a second tape track 1626. Once in an extended position,the second tape 1610 is positioned across the path 1614 along which thehead 1602 is movable for enabling a read and/or write operation on thesecond tape 1610.

Although in FIGS. 16A-16D the head 1602 is illustrated as movingrelative to the tape, according to another approach there may be arelative motion between the head 1602 and the tapes 1606, 1610. Forexample, the head 1602 may be stationary while the tapes 1606, 1610 maybe attached to a platform which moves relative to the stationary head1602, e.g., to selectively engage the head 1602 with one of the tapes1606, 1610.

Referring now to another exemplary embodiment, FIG. 17 depicts a system1700, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the presentsystem 1700 may be implemented in conjunction with features from anyother embodiment listed herein, such as those described with referenceto the other FIGS. Of course, however, such system 1700 and otherspresented herein may be used in various applications and/or inpermutations which may or may not be specifically described in theillustrative embodiments listed herein. Further, the system 1700presented herein may be used in any desired environment. Thus FIG. 17(and the other FIGS.) should be deemed to include any and all possiblepermutations.

According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17, the tapedrive system 1700 may include a mechanism configured to move the head1702 between at least two different positions, where “between” any setof positions in this and/or other embodiments is intended to includepositioning at the noted position. According to the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 17, the head 1702 may be positioned between threedifferent positions 1720, 1722, 1724, e.g., corresponding to thelocations of the three tapes 1708, 1714, 1716 shown. However, accordingto different approaches, the head may be positioned between at least twopositions, at least four positions, etc., depending on the desiredembodiment.

In a preferred approach, the head 1702 may be positioned between thethree different positions by incorporating a relative motiontherebetween. In one approach, the head 1702 may be rotated about acenter point between the three tapes 1708, 1714, 1716. However,according to another approach, the system 1700 may create a relativemotion between the head 1702 and tapes 1708, 1714, 1716, e.g., the tapesmay rotate about the head 1702.

Tape threading operations may be performed in a manner similar to theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8E-8H. Accordingly, the system 1700 mayinclude a first set of guides 824, 826 at each position. When the head1702 is in the first position 1720, as illustrated in FIG. 17, theguides 824, 826 are positionable for causing the first tape 1708 toengage the head 1702, thereby enabling a read and/or write operation onthe first tape 1708. Thus, the guides 824, 826 of FIG. 17 may functionsimilarly to the guides 824, 826 of FIGS. 8E-8H.

Moreover, while the first tape 1708 is engaged and/or in the process ofbeing engaged/disengaged with the head 1702, the second and third tapes1714, 1716 may be rewound, coarse located, loaded, detached, etc.

When the head is in the second or third position 1722, 1724, the guides824, 826 at the respective position thread the respective tape onto thehead 1702.

With reference to the various embodiments described and/or suggestedherein, each reel incorporated therein may be large enough (e.g., theflanges are big enough) to hold the entire length of tape, if all thetape is to be accessed. If the tape is stored in pairs of these largereels, the capacity of the library may be reduced by a factor of twofrom what it may be by using single reels.

In another approach, the tape may be stored on a pair of reels, where atleast one reel is not large enough to accept the entire length of tape.As shown in FIGS. 18A-18C, a reel-size reduction may be effected byincorporating temporary flange extenders 1802, 1804 in the tape drive.In the tape drive, a temporary flange extender 1802 is fixed to themotor/reel chuck 1808 so that the reel flange 1806 is extended when itis on the drive. Once the reels 102 are in the drive, another flangeextender 1804 is placed on the top of each of the reels 102, so thattape can be spooled onto one of the reels. Before the tape reels 102 areunloaded from the tape drive, the tape is spooled back evenly betweenthe tape reels 102, so that it lies only between the permanent flanges1806 on the tape reels 102.

In another approach, a packing roller may be used to keep the tape onthe reel after its diameter becomes bigger than the flange.

According to some approaches, a tape may be packaged in a cartridgecontaining one spool.

In other approaches, a tape may be packaged in a cartridge having twospools, in which tape is wound from one spool to the other (e.g. similarto a VHS cartridge configuration). However, it is not necessary thatthese two spools be contained within a cartridge, especially where thelibrary robotics are able to access and/or transport the two spoolswithout damaging the tape. Moreover, according to one approach, if acartridge is used, one of the reels may be removed from the cartridgewhen the tape is loaded into a drive, e.g., to enable the reels to moveseparately for access (see FIGS. 9A-17). In another approach, aremovable clip may be used to hold the spools together when notoperating. For example, the clip may be removed when the spools areloaded into a drive, and then reattached when the spools are unloadedfrom the drive.

In some approaches, the tape library may be fault tolerant and/orself-repairing. For example, each tape cartridge may be read by a numberof different drives, if a robot fails then other robots may maneuveraround the failed robot, a failed robot may be towed away by anotherrobot and replaced, and/or a failed tape drive may be towed away andreplaced.

According to one embodiment, if a mobile robot fails, it may be towedaway and replaced by another mobile robot. The tape drives may beconfigured so that a mobile robot may easily tow away and replace a tapedrive, after temporarily clearing away the tape reels that may be in thepath taken to remove the tape drive. The power and data connections maybe made to use very little force, for example, using simple slidingspring contacts for the power and optical link for the tape drive datatransfer.

According to one embodiment, the system may be configured to allowremoval of a failed mobile robot using another mobile robot, in whichcase the failed mobile robot may then be replaced with the mobile robotperforming the removing or another mobile robot, in some approaches.

In another embodiment, the mobile robot may be configured to remove thetape drive, e.g., if the tape drive is broken. Likewise, the robot mayinstall a replacement or repaired tape drive.

Any of the embodiments described and/or suggested herein may be combinedwith various functional methods, depending on the desired embodiment.

FIG. 21 depicts a method 2100, in accordance with one embodiment. As anoption, the present method 2100 may be implemented in conjunction withfeatures from any other embodiment listed herein, such as thosedescribed with reference to the other FIGS. Of course, however, suchmethod 2100 and others presented herein may be used in variousapplications and/or in permutations which may or may not be specificallydescribed in the illustrative embodiments listed herein. Further, themethod 2100 presented herein may be used in any desired environment.Thus FIG. 21 (and the other FIGS.) should be deemed to include any andall possible permutations.

As illustrated, the method 2100 includes performing a read and/or writeoperation on a first tape using a head. See operation 2102.

Additionally, the method 2100 includes performing a coarse location(prelocation) on a second tape to about an operation location while theread and/or write operation is being performed on the first tape. Seeoperation 2104. Referring to the present description, the operationlocation refers to an approximate or actual physical location of data tobe retrieved from the tape, an approximate location of a next writeoperation, etc. According to a preferred approach, by performing acoarse location to about the operation location, the tape is spooled toa section of tape that is close to the operation location, e.g., withinabout 25 mm of the operation location. In some approaches, the operationlocation may span for some length of the tape. Thus, performing a coarselocation operation may spool a tape within about 25 mm of any positionwithin the span of tape corresponding to the operation location. Asnoted above, overlapping operations may be performed in parallel. Forexample, the coarse locating of operation 2104 may be performed on thesecond tape while the first tape is being loaded, unloaded, coarselocated, read, written to, etc.

With continued reference to FIG. 21, operation 2106 of method 2100includes performing a fine location and a read and/or write operation onthe second tape at the operation location using the head. Operation 2106may occur while the first tape is still coupled to the tape drive,perhaps being rewound onto its spool.

In one approach, the coarse location, fine location and read and/orwrite operation of the first and second tapes in method 2100 may each beconducted using a motor, e.g., according to any of the approachesdescribed and/or suggested herein. Moreover, in a preferred approach,the motor used for the coarse location of the second tape may also beused for the fine location and read and/or write operation of the secondtape.

According to one approach, the motors used for the coarse location, finelocation and read and/or write operation of the first and second tapesmay be coupled to or included in a drive mechanism according to any ofthe approaches described and/or suggested herein. Thus, in one approach,the motors may be positionable along a path (e.g., see 914 of FIGS.9A-9F). According to a further approach, at least one motor used for thecoarse location of the second tape may physically move, e.g., along thepath, to wrap the second tape over the head.

However, as described above, according to some approaches, the locatingand/or unlocating may be performed away from the drive itself (e.g., noton the drive mechanisms) at a winding station. Thus, according to apreferred approach, the winding stations may not require transducers. Invarious approaches, winding stations may be used with single spoolsand/or dual spools (e.g., in a cartridge, without a cartridge, etc.).Dual spools may be loaded into a winding station, located, then unloadedfrom the winding station, whereby the dual spool may then be transferredto a drive, e.g. to read and/or written to.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as “logic,” “circuit,” “module” or“system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take theform of a computer program product embodied in one or more computerreadable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodiedthereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention.

In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams mayrepresent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one ormore executable instructions for implementing the specified logicalfunction(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware andcomputer instructions.

FIG. 19 illustrates a network architecture 1900, in accordance with oneembodiment. As an option, the network architecture 1900 may beimplemented in conjunction with features from any other embodimentlisted herein, such as those described with reference to the other FIGS.Of course, however, such network architecture 1900 and others presentedherein may be used in various applications and/or in permutations whichmay or may not be specifically described in the illustrative embodimentslisted herein. Further, the network architecture 1900 presented hereinmay be used in any desired environment.

As shown in FIG. 19, a plurality of remote networks 1902 are providedincluding a first remote network 1904 and a second remote network 1906.A gateway 1901 may be coupled between the remote networks 1902 and aproximate network 1908. In the context of the present networkarchitecture 1900, the networks 1904, 1906 may each take any formincluding, but not limited to a LAN, a WAN such as the Internet, publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), internal telephone network, etc.

In use, the gateway 1901 serves as an entrance point from the remotenetworks 1902 to the proximate network 1908. As such, the gateway 1901may function as a router, which is capable of directing a given packetof data that arrives at the gateway 1901, and a switch, which furnishesthe actual path in and out of the gateway 1901 for a given packet.

Further included is at least one data server 1914 coupled to theproximate network 1908, and which is accessible from the remote networks1902 via the gateway 1901. It should be noted that the data server(s)1914 may include any type of computing device/groupware. Coupled to eachdata server 1914 is a plurality of user devices 1916. Such user devices1916 may include a desktop computer, lap-top computer, hand-heldcomputer, printer or any other type of logic. It should be noted that auser device 1911 may also be directly coupled to any of the networks, inone embodiment.

A peripheral 1920 or series of peripherals 1920, e.g., facsimilemachines, printers, networked and/or local storage units or systems,etc., may be coupled to one or more of the networks 1904, 1906, 1908. Itshould be noted that databases and/or additional components may beutilized with, or integrated into, any type of network element coupledto the networks 1904, 1906, 1908. In the context of the presentdescription, a network element may refer to any component of a network.

According to some approaches, methods and systems described herein maybe implemented with and/or on virtual systems and/or systems whichemulate one or more other systems, such as a UNIX system which emulatesan IBM z/OS environment, a UNIX system which virtually hosts a MICROSOFTWINDOWS environment, a MICROSOFT WINDOWS system which emulates an IBMz/OS environment, etc. This virtualization and/or emulation may beenhanced through the use of a hypervisor, in some embodiments.

In more approaches, one or more networks 1904, 1906, 1908, may representa cluster of systems commonly referred to as a “cloud.” In cloudcomputing, shared resources, such as processing power, peripherals,software, data, servers, etc., are provided to any system in the cloudin an on-demand relationship, thereby allowing access and distributionof services across many computing systems. Cloud computing typicallyinvolves an Internet connection between the systems operating in thecloud, but other techniques of connecting the systems may also be used.

FIG. 20 shows a representative hardware environment associated with auser device 1916 and/or server 1914 of FIG. 19, in accordance with oneembodiment. Such figure illustrates a typical hardware configuration ofa workstation having a central processing unit 2010, such as amicroprocessor, and a number of other units interconnected via a systembus 2012.

The workstation shown in FIG. 20 includes a Random Access Memory (RAM)2014, Read Only Memory (ROM) 2016, an I/O adapter 2018 for connectingperipheral devices such as disk storage units 1020 to the bus 2012, auser interface adapter 1022 for connecting a keyboard 1024, a mouse1026, a speaker 1028, a microphone 2032, and/or other user interfacedevices such as a touch screen and a digital camera (not shown) to thebus 2012, communication adapter 2034 for connecting the workstation to acommunication network 2035 (e.g., a data processing network) and adisplay adapter 2036 for connecting the bus 2012 to a display device2038.

The workstation may have resident thereon an operating system such asthe Microsoft Windows® Operating System (OS), a MAC OS, a UNIX OS, etc.It will be appreciated that a preferred embodiment may also beimplemented on platforms and operating systems other than thosementioned. A preferred embodiment may be written using JAVA, XML, C,and/or C++ language, or other programming languages, along with anobject oriented programming methodology. Object oriented programming(OOP), which has become increasingly used to develop complexapplications, may be used.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

It will be clear that the various features of the methodologies andembodiments described herein may be combined in any way, creating aplurality of combinations from the descriptions presented herein.

Communications components such as input/output or I/O devices (includingbut not limited to keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) may becoupled to the system either directly or through intervening I/Ocontrollers.

Communications components such as buses, interfaces, network adapters,etc., may also be coupled to the system to enable the data processingsystem, e.g., host, to become coupled to other data processing systems,remote printers, storage devices, etc., through intervening private orpublic networks. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards are just a fewof the currently available types of network adapters that may be used,in some approaches.

It will be further appreciated that embodiments described herein may beprovided in the form of a service deployed on behalf of a customer tooffer service on demand.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of an embodiment of the presentinvention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplaryembodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the followingclaims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A product, comprising: a reel; a tape coupled tothe reel; and a spring-like clip coupled to a free end of the tape, theclip being selectively positionable in a wrapped position where the clipwraps around a portion of the tape when the tape is wound onto the reel,thereby holding the portion of the tape in place on the reel.
 2. Theproduct as recited in claim 1, wherein the clip includes an engagementfeature configured to enable the clip to be pulled from the wrappedposition.
 3. The product as recited in claim 2, wherein the engagementfeature is a bent portion of the spring-like clip.
 4. The product asrecited in claim 2, wherein the engagement feature includes at least oneof a hole and a barb.
 5. The product as recited in claim 1, wherein afree end of the clip has a bent portion.
 6. The product as recited inclaim 1, wherein at least one surface of the clip has a surface featurefor reducing surface friction of the clip.
 7. The product as recited inclaim 1, wherein stiffness of the clip varies along its length.
 8. Theproduct as recited in claim 7, wherein a free end of the clip hasgreater stiffness than an end of the clip coupled to the tape.
 9. Theproduct as recited in claim 1, wherein the length of the clip between afree end thereof and an end thereof coupled to the tape is at leastone-half of the circumference of an outer surface of the tape when thetape is wound completely on the reel.
 10. The product as recited inclaim 1, wherein the length of the clip between a free end thereof andan end thereof coupled to the tape is greater than the circumference ofan outer surface of the tape when the tape is wound completely on thereel.
 11. The product as recited in claim 1, wherein the clip has awidth in the range from 20% of the tape's width to 100% of the tape'swidth.
 12. The product as recited in claim 1, wherein the clip's widthis greater than the tape's width.
 13. The product as recited in claim 1,wherein the clip is coupled to the free end of the tape by a tape leaderhaving a length as measured between the clip and the tape of at leastone circumference of an outer surface of the tape when the tape is woundcompletely on the reel.
 14. A system, comprising: a plurality of tapereels; and a tape drive configured for reading data from tape stored onat least one of the plurality of tape reels, wherein at least some ofthe tape reels have a tape wound thereon and a spring-like clip coupledto a free end of the tape, the clip being selectively positionable in awrapped position where the clip wraps around a portion of the tape whenthe tape is wound onto the reel, thereby holding the portion of the tapein place on the reel.
 15. The system as recited in claim 14, furthercomprising a chuck for rotating the reel, and an optical detector fordetecting an orientation of the clip when the chuck rotates the reel.16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein a free end of the cliphas a bent portion for enabling optical detection of the bent portion bythe optical detector.
 17. The system as recited in claim 14, furthercomprising a mobile robot and a controller for directing movement of therobot, the robot being configured to: selectively retrieve one or moreof the plurality of tape reels; and transport the one or more retrievedtape reels to the tape drive, wherein the robot moves unconstrainedalong a first surface.
 18. The system as recited in claim 14, whereinthe clip includes an engagement feature configured to enable the clip tobe pulled from the wrapped position, and further comprising a transfermechanism for engaging the engagement feature and pulling the clip fromthe wrapped position.
 19. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein atleast one surface of the clip has a surface feature for reducing surfacefriction of the clip.
 20. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein thelength of the clip between a free end thereof and an end thereof coupledto the tape is at least one-half of the circumference of an outersurface of the tape when wound completely on the reel.
 21. A spring-likeclip for a spool of tape, one end of the clip being attached to one endof the tape, and another end of the clip having an engagement featurethat allows the clip to be pulled from the spool, wherein the clip isconfigured to curve around the spool to hold the tape in place.
 22. Theclip of claim 21, wherein the clip is configured to assume a relativelyless-curved geometry when pulled by the engagement feature, therebypermitting the clip to be passed to a take-up reel.
 23. The clip ofclaim 21, wherein the engagement feature is configured (i) to engage atransfer mechanism when loading the tape and (ii) disengage the transfermechanism when unloading the tape.
 24. The clip of claim 21, the clipincluding surface features that reduce surface friction between the clipand a surface abutting the clip, and facilitate clip unloading.
 25. Theclip of claim 21, wherein the clip has varied stiffness along its lengthfor facilitating uncurling of the clip when loading the tape onto atake-up mechanism, while maintaining the holding properties of the clip.